KASALANG BAYAN. About 80 couples from Borongan City availed of the mass wedding or ‘Kasalang Bayan’ on Monday(June 17) sponsored by the city government as part of its 17th Charter Day celebration.
(BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
As part of the 17th year cityhood
KASALANG BAYAN. About 80 couples from Borongan City availed of the mass wedding or ‘Kasalang Bayan’ on Monday(June 17) sponsored by the city government as part of its 17th Charter Day celebration. (BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – About 80 couples from Borongan City tied the knot in a “Kasalang Bayan” or mass wedding presided over by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.
The mass wedding event was part of the city’s 17th Charter celebration on Monday (June 17).
Mayor Agda was joined by Rose Ballera, who represented Regional Director Wilma Perante of the regional office of the Philippine Statistics Authority; members of the city council headed by Vice Mayor Emman Tiu-Sonco; City Civil Registry Office chief Ma. Luisa M. Azul III, who spearheaded the mass wedding; and various city department heads.
“This Kasalang Bayan makes your union legal, a precious gift to your children, making them legitimate or what we call marital children,” Ballera said with the newlywed couples.
In his message, Mayor Agda emphasized the need for the couples to continue loving and supporting each other, especially during difficult times, and to make God the center of their relationship.
“A relationship needs to be nurtured. Don’t forget the important moments with your spouse. Be role models for your children,” he advised.
Among those married at the mass wedding was Jessica Lacorte, a secondary school teacher, and her partner, Romanian national Alexandru Mirea, who met online.
The two had been living together for about nine months.
“I am happy because my dream of getting married has come true. We rushed to get married because he only has a few weeks here… we took the opportunity of this Kasalang Bayan,” Lacorte said.
“For me, it’s okay [to get married with others], it’s actually fun seeing many happy faces. I am very thankful to the mayor for organizing this event, which reduces costs with a free venue and food,” she added.
“I am happy that we were able to catch up with our paperwork, as the last pair of the 40 couples who exchanged ‘I do’s’ at the city’s Baybay Boulevard,” Mirea shared.
He added that he had prepared a tuxedo for the wedding but due to the hot weather, he opted to wear a white polo shirt with a bow tie.
Also among the couples who tied the knot during the mass wedding were Raymart Santerva and Maricar Tabinas from Brgy. Campesao, who were assisted by an interpreter throughout the ceremony due to their hearing impairment. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan
4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan
TACLOBAN CITY – 4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, along with local government officials, community leaders, and university stakeholders, led the groundbreaking ceremony for two new buildings at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Arteche Campus in Arteche, Eastern Samar.
The construction of a P22 million academic building and a P5 million multipurpose building, held on June 8, at the ESSU-Arteche Extension Campus aims to address the campus’s classroom shortages.
The academic building is a two-story structure designed to accommodate over 400 students. It includes eight classrooms, one faculty office, comfort rooms, and storage rooms, covering a total area of 860 square meters. The project’s expected completion time is 168 days.
The multipurpose building, also a two-story structure, covers 70.28 square meters and has a projected completion time of 122 days.
The ground floor will feature a student lounge, while the second floor will serve as a study and presentation area capable of accommodating more than 450 students.
Currently, due to the shortage of classrooms, students in each program attend classes only two days a week.
Libanan emphasized that the new infrastructures would create additional opportunities for students at ESSU-Arteche.
“The modern facilities and equipment are expected to improve the educational system of the said school,” he added.
During the public hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, House Bill No. 9772, an Act converting the ESSU-Arteche Extension Campus to a regular campus, was approved on its third and final reading on February 28, 2024. Libanan co-authored the bill, and the hearing was presided over by committee chair, Sen. Chiz Escudero.
Libanan mentioned that the conversion would provide fiscal autonomy to the campus, leading to additional budget allocation and job opportunities for the people of Eastern Samar.
Currently, ESSU-Arteche Campus funding depends on the ESSU-Borongan Campus and the support of the local government unit of Arteche.
Engr. Arnaldo Villalon, dean of ESSU Arteche, stated that constructing the two new buildings will address the classroom shortage resulting from the increasing number of enrollees.
The school’s enrollment has risen to over 800 students for the current school year, up from the initial 107 enrollees in 2018.
Libanan advocated for funding allocation for both projects. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
OUT OF POVERTY. Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan delivers his state of province address (SOPA) on Monday (June 17) wherein he reported that the province is on its way to becoming a first-class province, an indication, among others, that Northern Samar is improving its economic condition. Also in photo is Vice Gov.Clarence Dato. (THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR).
Gov. Ongchuan made the declaration during his SOPA
OUT OF POVERTY. Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan delivers his state of province address (SOPA) on Monday (June 17) wherein he reported that the province is on its way to becoming a first-class province, an indication, among others, that Northern Samar is improving its economic condition. Also in photo is Vice Gov.Clarence Dato. (THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR).
TACLOBAN CITY-Northern Samar is now a first-class province in terms of income classification, an indication that his administration is on the right track in uplifting its people from poverty.
This was declared by Governor Edwin Ongchuan during his state of the province address (SOPA) on Monday (June 17) at the newly-refurbished provincial gymnasium in Catarman.
In his report before his people, Ongchuan said that he is happy that the province is slowly marching towards a ‘sustained’ economic development.
“Mga minamahal ko pong kapwa-Nortehanon, pagkalipas ng limang taon ng aking panunungkulan, Ipinagmamalaki ko pong sabihin na nasa maayos at malakas na estado ang ating probinsya,” he said in his speech.
“Ang Northern Samar ay patuloy na umuunlad at nakikilala hindi lang sa Region 8 kundi sa buong bansa,” Ongchuan asserted.
The event was attended by top officials of the province who included Reps. Paul Daza and Harris Christopher Ongchuan, representing the province’s first and second congressional districts; members of the provincial board headed by Vice Gov. Clarence Dato, municipal mayors, and barangay officials, among others.
In his speech, Ongchuan said that for the last three years, the province was able to generate an income of more than P2 billion, higher by P1.5 billion income collected by a province which belong to the first-class income classification.
“Bagama’t wala pang implementing rules and regulation ang Republic Act 11964, o ang Automatic Income Classification of LGUs Act of 2023, tataas po ang income class ng Northern Samar mula second-class hanggang first class, base na rin sa kabuuang kita ng ating provincial government sa nakaraang tatlong taon kung saan ang ating probinsya ay nakapagtala ng average annual regular income na halos dalawang bilyong piso, mas mataas sa minimum na P1.5 billion para maging first-class province,” the governor said.
He also said that based on the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Northern Samar’s ranking has increased by 18 notches from 73 to 55th place of said year.
The province’s local income has also increased in 2023 at P216 million, higher by 28.6 percent compared to 2022, the governor added.
Ongchuan also disclosed that based on the data from the Bureau of Local Government Finance, Northern Samar ranked second among the provinces in the region in terms of collection of real property and of business taxes and ranked third in the collection of fees and charges.
Under his leadership, the province also got its first ever seal of good local governance (SGLG) last year. The SGLG, awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), is considered the highest recognition being bestowed to local government units. “Ibig sabihin po ay naipasa ng ating probinsya ang sampung governance area. Ito po ay pagpapakita ng provincial government of Northern Samar sa ating mga kapwa- Nortehanon ng ating kahusayan at katapatan sa serbisyo at pamamahala,” Ongchuan said.
The governor said that the economic development that is slowly being experienced by the province could be attributed to various programs and interventions being implemented by his administration with the help of the national government and its various offices and agencies.
He narrated that Northern Samar is the first province in the country to put up a ‘green lane’ wherein the processing of needed documents by big investors would directly deal with the provincial government, cutting possible occurrence of red tape.
This resulted, Ongchuan said, to the coming in of big- ticket investments, especially in the energy sector like the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Aboitiz Infrastructure on their offshore wind power project and Energies PH Inc. for its tidal energy project.
He, however, acknowledged that despite the economic gains, poverty remains to affect many of its people, particularly in the agriculture and fishery sectors.
And to help address this problem, his administration has come up with several programs and projects to help them raise from poverty and has come up with a seven-year modernization road map for the agri-fishery sector, Ongchuan said.
Among these programs include the rice production enhancement program wherein identified farmer-beneficiaries were taught training on climate-resilient method of farming as the distribution of rice seeds and fertilizers to farmers aimed at increasing their yields.
Farm-to-market roads are also being constructed across the province to help the local farmers trade their produce, the governor said.
A four-year provincial rice industry development plan, has also been implemented beginning this year, Ongchuan said, adding that this program is anchored on the MaSaGaNa Rice Industry Development Program of the Marcos administration.
“Sana po ay tangkilikin ng ating mga rice farmers ang mga makabagong teknolohiya sa pagsasaka upang mas magkaroon tayo ng sapat na supply sa ating probinsya at mapababa pa natin ang presyo ng bigas,” he said.
Ongchuan also said that he is offering scholarship program for students who will take agriculture as their course to help the young people to go into farming which they feel not attractive and lucrative as a livelihood.
In the fishery sector, several programs have also been put in place to help the fisherfolk improve their economic conditions, Ongchuan said.
His administration is also giving focus those in the abaca sector and those in the seaweed production, noting that Northern Samar is one of the leading abaca and seaweeds producers in the country.
In his SOPA, Gov. Ongchuan also addressed one of the biggest problems of the province-insurgency.
He disclosed that through their local initiatives, several members of the communist armed group, the New People’s Army, have returned to the fold of the law.
A village for them was constructed where they could live a normal life and also, encourage those in the active communist group to abandon their armed struggle.
“Sunod-sunod po ang nangyaring pagdedeklara ng stable internal peace and security sa ating mga bayan at mismo pong ang ating DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. ang nagsabi na ang Northern Samar ay isa nang insurgency-free province,” he said.
The governor has also tackled in his SOPA in helping the education sector of the province and promoting further its tourism industry as well as ensuring that his people, particularly, the children, will be healthy and not nutrient-deficient and enjoy potable drinking water.
Gov. Ongchuan also acknowledged the support of President Marcos to the province with the completion of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road or also known as Simora Road, connecting several Pacific towns to the mainland.
“Noong July, kasama natin si Pangulong Marcos sa inauguration ng SPCR 1. Sa pagkakataong yoon mismo din nya kinumpirma na popondohan ng national government ang konstruksyon ng SPCR 2 na binubuo ng dalawang tulay na magdudugtong sa isla ng Laoang sa mainland ng Northern Samar. Inaasahan po natin na magkakaroon ng groundbreaking ang SPCR 2 Project ngayong November 2024,” Ongchuan said, connecting the island towns of Laoang and Palapag to the national road network.
“Tayong mga Nortehanon ay patuloy na nagsusumikap. Nalampasan natin ang pagiging isa sa pinakamahirap na probinsya at iba pang mga pagsubok. Ngayon pa na napatunayan natin na kaya nating magkaisa at magtulungan para sa patuloy na ikakaunlad ng probinsya,” the governor said.
FAVORITE SON. The newly enhanced Norberto Romualdez Sr. Park in Burauen, Leyte. The local government unit launched on Friday (June 14, 2024) a park to honor President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grand uncle who played a major role in enriching the local literature. (Photo courtesy of Burauen LGU)
FAVORITE SON. The newly enhanced Norberto Romualdez Sr. Park in Burauen, Leyte. The local government unit launched on Friday (June 14, 2024) a park to honor President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grand uncle who played a major role in enriching the local literature. (Photo courtesy of Burauen LGU)
BURAUEN, Leyte – The local government unit here launched on Friday a park to honor President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s grand uncle, Norberto Romualdez Sr., a native of this town who played a major role in enriching the local literature.
Mayor Juanito Renomeron led the soft launch of the newly restored park that has been enhanced by the local government with the assistance of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines starting in 2022.
“This launch symbolizes the strong commitment of our local government unit, along with the municipal tourism office, to preserving and promoting our own cultural heritage. While we give platforms to our local artists today, it is imperative that we continue to value and acknowledge distinguished people of Burauen from the past,” Renomeron told local officials and residents here.
Burauen tourism officer Carmela Corazon Crebillo said the 177-square meter park adjacent to the town’s Roman Catholic church was built in 1975 by the municipal government to celebrate Romualdez’s 100th birthday.
It is located along the corner of Sta. Ana and Ave Maria Streets, the same spot where he built his house.
She said the PHP500,000 locally funded restoration works involved refurbishing of the original monument and construction of pavilion, concrete bench and path walk.
“There are still some improvement works lined up. We will have a grand launching of the park next year,” Crebillo added.
Born in Burauen town on June 6, 1875, Norberto was the eldest son of Daniel Romualdez and Trinidad Lopez.
His younger brother was Vicente Orestes Lopez Romualdez, the father of the Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, the President’s mother.
He finished his Bachelor of Arts with honors at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1895 and became a high school teacher at the University of Santo Tomas before the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, according to an article published by the Kahimyang Project.
He studied law during the American Occupation and passed the Bar in 1903.
The local tourism office records described Romualdez as an educator, jurist, writer, and statesman, earning the distinction “favorite son of Leyte.”
In 1908, he wrote a Visayan grammar book for American soldiers stationed in Leyte who wanted to learn the local language.
The following year, he founded the Sanghiran san Binisaya ha Samar ug Leyte (Academy of the Visayan Language of Samar and Leyte) to promote and intellectualize Waray-Waray.
Romualdez was also fluent in other languages like Spanish and English, as well as Cebuano.
He was a well-known writer, educator, lawyer and painter, and was a delegate to the 1934-1935 Constitutional Convention.
He was one of the “Seven Wise Men” who drafted the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth and also a Philippine Supreme Court associate justice during the American Period.
He died of pneumonia in Palapag, Northern Samar on Nov. 4, 1941 at the age of 66.
On March 24, the local government approved a resolution declaring every June 6 every year as Norberto Romualdez Sr. Day. The resolution also named him a local hero. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
ORMOC CITY– The No. 3 most wanted person in Biliran province was arrested by the local police of Caibiran town at about 10:45 am on Sunday (June 16).
The accused was identified by the police as alias “Cardo”, 41, single, unemployed, and a resident of Brgy. Kaulangohan of the said town.
The accused was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by a regional trial court based in the said town on June 11, 2024 for the crime of sexual assault with a recommended bail bond of P180,000 for his temporary liberty.
The accused was brought to the Caibiran municipal police station for documentation and proper disposition before turning him over the court that issued the warrant.
ORMOC CITY– A farmer was found floating in a river in Las Navas, Northern Samar, suspected to have been drowned.
Based on the initial report from the local police, the victim, identified as alias ‘Nito,’.30 and a resident of Barangay Dapdap of said town was taking a bath in a river in Brgy. Del Pilar with his cousin at about 6 am on Saturday (June 15).
The parents, the report added, said that after an hour of soaking in the river, his cousin went home leaving the victim in the river.
The police added that according to the victim’s parents, they did not bother themselves to search their son because they thought that he just went to their relatives to attend a fiesta celebration.
Still, they were stunned to find their son lifeless in the river.
The victim’s family refused to bring the cadaver to the rural health unit for a post-mortem examination and decided to bury the victim right away in their village. (ROBERT DEJON)
